"Open-Source" Classroom Materials: Nation's Oldest Hispanic Rights Groups Urge Perry to Allow Public Review

SAN ANTONIO – At a San Antonio press conference on January 7, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) & the American G.I. Forum warned that rules adopted by Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott for adoption of “Open-Source” textbook material threaten or prevent public participation in the textbook review process, and potentially expose Texas to lawsuits because certain parts of the state will not have “equal access” to online content.  

To continue reading, click here



Upcoming State Board of Education meetings:
• January 13-15, 2010
• March 10-12, 2010
• May 19-21, 2010


For Adoption Updates, Click here

SBOE to Consider Tighter Rules to Monitor "Open Source" Textbook Issue

Texas Insider
Geraldine "Tincy" Miller
February 1, 2010

AUSTIN - Last week, the State Board of Education (SBOE) met for the first time in 2010.  It was an exciting meeting with a very packed agenda, and consequently we were not able to complete everything.  For instance, the Board had planned to consider a tighter set of rules to help the Texas Education Agency monitor the “Open Source” Textbook issue, but due to the constraints on time, we elected to wait until the next meeting to discuss it.  

To continue reading, click here

Perry has his allies in "Race to the Top" debate

Amarillo Globe-News
January 24, 2010

AUSTIN - When it comes to public education issues, Anette Carlisle does not always see eye to eye with Gov. Rick Perry and other state leaders.

But Carlisle, president of the Amarillo Independent School District Board of Trustees, agrees that Perry was right to decide Texas wouldn't compete for a federal education grant that could have brought as much as $700 million to cash-strapped school districts in the state.

To continue reading, click here

Perry won't let Texas compete for federal school money

Houston Chronicle
January 13, 2009

Texas will not compete for a potential $700 million in federal grant funding for schools, Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday, because it could give Washington too much say in deciding what the state's students should learn.

To continue reading, click here

Texas Must Proceed Carefully with Open Source Materials and Curriculum

Texas Curriculum
January 11, 2010

In 2010, Texas school districts will be faced with new open source textbook materials,
also known as online content. The transition to digital content represents a dramatic
step forward for Texas classrooms. But the same oversight, review and regulation that
the state has always used with print materials should apply to digital and online content
as well. To continue reading, click here

Click here to learn about Innovations in Reading Instruction

Click here to learn about Publisher-Developed Instructional Programs

Click here to learn about New English as a Second Language Materials

"Open Source" Textbooks Are Reason for Grave Concern

Texas Insider
Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, SBOE Dist. 12
December 18, 2009

The week before Thanksgiving, the State Board of Education (SBOE) met for its November meeting and a number of issues were covered that were of great importance. Many of these issues are nearing critical decision points which are scheduled for our upcoming January & March SBOE Meetings.

To continue reading, click here

State Considers Open-Source Rulemaking

The State Board of Education (SBOE) has limited presence

  • HB 2488 gives the SBOE limited oversight. The same rules do not apply to open-source textbooks as they do with traditional instructional materials.

  • Texas is a state that strives to review their curriculum standards and have the very best instructional materials available in the classroom. Why should open-source textbooks be treated any differently?

    To continue reading, click here

    State Considers Rules for Technology Purposes

    Diverts instructional materials funding to purchase technology

  • HB 4294 allows state allocated textbook funds to be used to purchase technological equipment.

  • The state textbook fund is designed to deliver instructional content, both in print and electronic formats. In many cases, content is already delivered by publishers in both print and electronic formats, which enables school districts to make flexible and informed choices on classroom implementation.

    To continue reading, click here


    State Board of Education

  • © 2009 TexasCurriculum.org. All rights reserved | Privacy Statement